WEST Coast will give star defender Jeremy McGovern up until the last minute to prove his fitness for the Eagles' clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

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Despite the Eagles enjoying a luxurious eight-day break during the AFL's fixture cram, McGovern is still touch and go due to a thumb injury.

The injury prevented McGovern from completing training, and midfielder Dom Sheed told reporters on Tuesday that McGovern was "obviously frustrated".

Sheed said although the injury seemed minor, it was the backman's "spoiling hand".

"It's too early in the week to know how he'll go," Sheed said. "Gov wants to play every week, so if he's right to go, he'll go …

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"It seems like just a finger but you use it for everything … it seems only minor but it does impact a lot of players' games, especially Gov's."

With the game against Carlton on the horizon, Sheed revealed he inadvertently keeps a close eye on superstar midfielder Patrick Cripps' stats. 

Cripps was taken by Carlton two picks after Sheed in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, and Sheed said he was reminded weekly that the Blues' bullocking mid (and that year's No.13 pick) could have been an Eagle.

"I've got one of my mates who sends me Crippa's stats every weekend, says West Coast could have had him," Sheed said.

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"It's all for a bit of a laugh but, no, I definitely don't think there's a point to prove at all."